Cabin Air Filter Replacement

Dealer told me mine is close to needing replacement at 8k miles and 1 year of ownership. Is this BS? Truck isn’t exposed to dusty conditions and has NEVER been off-road. A quick search online tells me that cabin air filters are typically good for 15-30k miles. While I am on the topic, what do you guys suggest for a replacement? Dealer wants $55 for theirs. I know I can get way cheaper online for something else. Is the K&N a good option, or is it just Chinese garbage?

 

Buy cheap ones unless you need to filter actual pollen.

I blow mine out every oil change and replace it once its nasty.

I only call them when the air filter is dirty as customers get pissed off like this lol.

They always look dirty, very similar to a furnace filter.

 

I just take mine out and blow it out. Then reinstall. Takes five minutes. Will buy a new one in a few years.

 

Inspect it first & see how it looks. Do it yourself. Standard filters are under $20 and YouTube has plenty of instructions. I did get a K&N and haven’t cleaned it in a while. If you go with K&N, keep the old one to use during future cleanings.

 

That was my original thought. When I was being told I already needed something replaced on something that is essentially brand new. My literal 2nd trip to the dealership for “Toyota Care”. I can already see what the future holds in their invoices 2 years from now.

 

check it first. If needed Do it yourself for a few bucks.

Probably do not need a k&n

 

I have a K&N cabin filter, just wash and dry every 10k. Works for me.

 

Pull it out and take a look. They get black fairly quick. You can spray wash them with a garden hose.

 

Mine was disgusting at about 25k miles, I was very surprised actually. Also was surprised at the price of the new OEM, like 27$ I believe.

 

Amazon they are like 8 bucks for a fram replacement. I replace once a year since pollen is so bad. Cheap and makes a huge difference, 55 bucks is highway robbery!!!

 

I use the Fram Fresh Breeze filters (

$21 CF10374 Cabin Air Filter For 2005-2021 Toyota Tacoma, Dodge Dart, Pontiac Vibe With Activated Carbon,2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

CF10374) in my Tacoma. They run about $10 on Amazon and free shipping.

 

These are kick-ass when you need to replace. I use them in all our vehicles that need them. Twice as heavy as OEM with activated charcoal. $12

$12 Spearhead Odor Defense Breathe Easy AC & Heater Cabin Filter | Fits 2005-2023 Tacoma, 2013-2016 Dart, 2003-2008 Vibe Like OEM | Up to 25% Longer Lasting w/Activated Carbon (BE-374)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CP85QQ..._glt_fabc_ZJ5NN9G9Z85KH4B52MEN?_encoding=UTF8

 

Wally World has them too. They price match online prices which is awesome.

 

I just bought one of these, my AC smells freakin' awful so I am going to spray disinfectant in there and put the new filter in.

 

Get some 90% IPA if you can find it (70% will work), put it in a spray bottle, pull that nasty filter and with the fan on medium or high, start spraying that shit into the fan area. Hit it heavy and then shut it off and let it cook. You will be ready to choke. Repeat a few times and pop that snazzy filter in there.

 

The 55

It's not $55. It's the labor to pull it plus the filter. Most of the time they recommend something on time and or milage. If you are given a high number one gets scared it's a bigger job then it is. Unless it's an old Honda van, when you had to cut a steal flat support bar out that was in front of it with a grinding wheel or hacksaw the first time.

 

The change it free at your 20k service.

 

I changed mine at 1 year and 11,000 miles. It was full of mice (dead and alive).

 

You already know the answer.

 

The dealer cabin filter change is another of their scams. It may indeed need changing, but at $200+ is silly. Had my 370Zs oil changed at the dealership, only because it was $10 with my oil and filter. Service tech told me my serpentine belt needed to be replaced at $300. It only had 30,000 miles on it and still looked fine. Same scenario for my Dodge Ram. Service tech told me my truck was due for it’s 50,000 mile service at a cost of $1200. Dodge doesn’t require a 50,000 mile service.